Lessons from Modesta: dust extraction 101

Why is dust extraction important and why do you need it to run a successful agriculture business? Dutch dust extraction specialist Modesta has gained all the know-how about this topic over 75 years of doing business and shares some of their insights with us.

Many agricultural businesses are currently dealing with the same problems. Manual labor is increasingly hard to find, so companies are looking to automate as much as possible, relying on their equipment more than ever. Investing in automated processing lines that deliver fast, high-quality results is increasingly important. The sector is also dealing with health, safety and food regulations getting increasingly strict.

When thinking about these challenges, dust extraction is probably not the first thing that comes to mind as a crucial element of the modern agricultural factory. However, it’s vital in keeping a processing line running, delivering a premium product and making sure everyone on the factory floor is happy. That’s where Modesta comes in. ‘Dust extraction is often underestimated, but it can make a huge difference in the day to day operating of your business,’ says Wyboud Kloppenburg, third-generation director at Modesta.

A clean working environment for you and your machines

First of all, dust extraction can literally make a difference on the factory floor. Awareness about the importance of a healthy environment for workers is at an all-time high, underlining the importance of a clean and dust free factory more than ever. Working in a clean environment is obviously much more pleasant and safer for workers’ eyes and lungs. A dust collection installation can make the difference between a factory floor filled with scattered onion skins and dust flying around, forcing workers to spend time cleaning the premises, and a clean production line that needs minimal maintenance and cleaning.

But a clean factory doesn’t only benefit workers: it also ensures machines can do their jobs properly. If dust and small particles, like onion skins, aren’t extracted, equipment will suffer more wear and tear and need more frequent maintenance on moving parts. Cleanliness also helps software function the way it’s supposed to: sensors of modern machinery can be quite sensitive, so they must remain dust free.

Premium onions

As if that’s not enough, there’s a third reason dust extraction can help agricultural businesses stay ahead of competition: it ensures them to deliver a premium product. Modesta’s active cleaning strategy separates dust and skins from the onions before sending them to the packing line. This doesn’t only increase machine capacity and lifespan, but also delivers a cleaner product, which can be sold at a higher price.

Comprehensive approach

‘Ideally, we’re included in the process from the get-go,’ says Wyboud. ‘A good dust extraction solution is more than installing a dust collector: it means looking at the total picture. What is the smartest and most efficient set-up for both the machine itself and the whole production line?’ A comprehensive approach includes thinking about waste flows, smart use of air streams, optimizing the prevailing wind direction at entrances and exits, installing enclosures around machines, and cleverly utilizing extracted air in other parts of the company. Thinking about the total approach in advance is an important part of Modesta’s service, as all of these elements together ensure a clean, safe and healthy working environment and a production line that works optimally.

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